Today’s From The Vault salutes the ever-reigning Queen of Pop Madonna.

With a career and catalog as colossal as hers, the diva’s music is celebrated on a daily basis. And rightfully so.

Our pick is hypnotizing anthem ‘Secrets.’

Lifted from Madge’s 1994 album ‘Bedtime Stories,’ the track was produced by music maestro Dallas Austin and was issued as the LP’s lead single.

After the controversy that encased the singer’s name and image following the raunchy ‘Erotica’ era, the Pop maverick arguably sought to soften both with ‘Stories.’

A marked departure from previous shapeshifts, the project drove in a much more R&B direction and placed lyricism and vocal performance at its forefront.

The effort was well-received.

‘Secrets’ peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, #5 in the UK, #2 in France, and placed within the top 10 in multiple countries worldwide. The track also hit #1 in Canada and Switzerland.

Its accompanying black and white video was directed by Melodie McDaniel and showcased the star in performance mode, while also slickly spotlighting others; the combination of which illuminated the song’s layered lyrics in earnest.

*********

For four decades Madonna has dominated like no other – primarily due to her willingness to embrace fresh sounds, themes, and manners of visual presentation.

Case in point ‘Secret’ and ‘Bedtime Stories.’

Madge’s commitment to evolving established a template in Pop that remains religiously adhered to by the many names that have followed in her footsteps.

All hail the Queen!

Your thoughts?